Lonnie Franklin worked at Fire Station 7 with a close knit
group of fire fighters. At about four o’clock in the morning of January 4, 1983, Station 7 was dispatched to a building fire in the 2800 block of Dowling
Street, which turned out to be a "working" fire. While en route to the location, the District Chief’s car in which Chief Franklin was riding, was struck broadside by a passenger car that ran a stop sign at Elgin and Hutchins just a few blocks from Station 7. Engine and Ladder 7 were just seconds behind the accident. The engine crew stayed behind to help at the scene and the ladder truck proceeded to the fire, but all the men knew their chief was severely injured. Chief Franklin was transported by ambulance to Hermann Hospital where attempts to save his life failed.

Chief Lonnie Franklin was a highly respected officer of the Houston Fire Department. Chief Franklin’s accident and death were similar to the accident that killed Bobby Milburn in 1949.